Iran's Silent Siege: A Nation Gripped by Fear and Arrests

In Iran, mass arrests by plainclothes security forces aim to crush the gravest protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Unofficial detention sites and internet blackouts punctuate the crackdown, while rights groups report thousands killed. The situation remains tense as external pressures on Iran increase.

Iranian security forces, operating in plainclothes, have launched a sweeping campaign of mass arrests and intimidation following the nation's deadliest unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Reuters sources reveal. These efforts aim to stifle further protests and spread fear among the populace.

Protests erupted over economic hardships at Tehran's Grand Bazaar, evolving into a significant threat to Iran's Shi'ite theocracy as demonstrators demanded clerics step down. Authorities responded with internet cuts and overwhelming force, killing thousands, according to rights groups. Tehran blames foreign influences for the violence.

Thousands have been detained, many in secret locations. Authorities target not only recent protest participants but also those previously involved, raising human rights concerns. Iran faces growing external pressure, with looming military tensions following U.S. President Trump's threats. The situation remains volatile amid escalating geopolitical stakes.

(With inputs from agencies.)